Lost and Found... in love... (Book Review: Metro Diaries by Namrata)

Book Title: Metro Diaries

Author: Namrata

'Love stories aren't created; they are captured'
is the beautiful cocoon of love and belief in love stories, that the author, Namrata begins the dedication of Metro Diaries with.

The writer is in love with the genre she's writing. And that love sparkles through these Love Classics.
"This book is an ode to that magic called love that binds our hearts together and yet the very thing that has the power to break them beyond repair."


In the beginning, the author writes that she hopes the stories 'tug your heart'... they do. In their amalgamation and celebration of love. In their exploration of love.
The love it talks about is not just the love of conventional love stories, though they are there too. The sensitive emotions, like those of homosexuals, transexuals, domestic violence also find a place in Metro Diaries. These are stories of choice and destiny, of fascination and obsession, of smiles and tears, of finding and discovering oneself - with or without one's loved one.

Metro Diaries is written in a way that a lot is just implied. One has to read between the lines to create a story from the exquisitely expressed delicate feelings.

The words of Metro Diaries enchant you with their poetic descriptions and romantic metaphors.
There are romantic proposals, sadness to tug heart strings.

One of my favourite songs is from the film 'Jogger's Park' sung by 'Adnan Sami' - Ishq Hota Nahin Sabhi Ke Liye...
The stories in Metro Diaries are of the ones who have experienced true love, not all have found true happiness in it though. 
That is what the song is about too. Is having known / experienced love a reward in itself? These stories say so... I would like to believe so :)

Most stories end with a poem, or a quote. Reading the poems from the perspective of the story adds to the depth and romance of the verse.

I would not recommend reading these stories back to back, as a one time read. Each story deserves to be relished by itself.
If read one after the other, the stories can feel rather repetitive, thanks to the common theme. 
Read as individual stories, they are enjoyable.

I am using the word 'story' rather loosely here. Each chapter cannot be termed as a story if one goes by the common definition of the word. Not each chapter is a complete story.
Some of the 'stories' actually read as either a rather personal diary entry or an expressive flow of emotions. These are love stories, love notes, love memories... Get lost in the emotions though, and a story peeps out of it though.

There is enough of a cynic in me to look at these stories without rose-coloured glasses. 
To read them, enjoy them and still feel at the end of some - 'they haven't lived through the hardships of living together in the practical world though'.
But I do enjoy Romance as a genre. I love escaping into the fairytale world of emotions. 
And I enjoyed reading through the charming Love Classics of Metro Diaries.

Quotes I love from Metro Diaries - Love Classics

• ...sometimes you build walls around your heart not to save yourselves from hurt, but to see who loves you enough to break them and reach the real you.
• If love is a question, I want you to be its answer.
• We all love in four ways; one from our heart, where we like someone's nature or actions; one from the mind where we like someone's thoughts; one from the body, where we are physically attracted to someone, and lastly from the soul, one that is our soul mate. Sometimes all the four loves are found in one person, which is very rare and sometimes we find four people for each of these loves. 

• For me, airports have been a place where memories are made, for that is the place where some are trying to let go, while few are trying to hold on... a beautiful amalgamation of what this whole life is all about.

The text in italics are excerpts from the book.

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About the Book:

Love is one of the most amazing feelings on this earth, one that makes you the most powerful person or the most helpless person in a split second. These stories capture those feelings of despair, longing, love, lust, desire, want, dejection and admiration to create deja vu. Hold onto your hearts as you flip through these pages and take a walk down the memory lane as "Metro Diaries" will revive your innermost feelings and imbibe in you the magic of love. Touching, amusing and deeply moving, Metro Diaries - Love Classics are tales that will hold you from start till end.

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Random Fun Facts:

1. All the stories in the book are real. Name of places and people have been changed to maintain confidentiality.

2. Metro Diaries is a segment on my blog which consists of stories across genres though this book has only got the romance collection.

3. One of the characters in the book is me and NO I am not telling you which one ;) If you think you have the right answer do write to me and I will let you know how close or far you are.

4. All the stories in the book have not been "ended", they have been brought to conclusion in a manner that there can always be a next part to it and the story can go on with the same characters.

5. If observed closely you will notice the stories are not technically love stories where boy meets girl and they fall in love to live happily ever after for I believe love stories are also about what doesn't happen between the lovers.

About the Author:

Namrata is a prolific blogger known by the name Privy Trifles in the blogosphere who romances life through her writings and aspires to make love the universal language. She dons various hats between that of a contributing author to 7 anthologies a reviewer for leading publishing houses an editor to various books and a columnist. Apart from that she is also the editor for an online magazine called Writer's Ezine. Having mastered the nuances of finance till recently she also held the title of an investment banker closely to let it go to embrace her love for writing fully.

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© Nimi Arora

A Beautiful Accident... (Book Review: The Accidental Wife by Simi K. Rao)

The Accidental Wife

Author: Simi K. Rao

The eyes on the cover of Simi K. Rao's 'The Accidental Wife' are gorgeous, just as Naina, the accidental wife is. The eyes do not have a joyous expression, as a bride's eyes should. But they are not sad either. They have a questioning, poignant look about them.

If one looks closely, a couple is reflected in them. The eyes are arresting and one has to consciously look at the rest of the cover and see the shadowed couple, the flying helicopters, the beautiful sunset...

The prologue of 'The Accidental Wife' starts with the wedding night of Rihaan. The typical double-meaning teasing by friends and cousins, most of them as good as strangers. And the prologue ends with Rihaan meeting his wife... the problem is the woman there is not the one he was supposed to have married.

The mystery is revealed. The stage is set for an engrossing story. The need for answers to 'how and why it happened' and 'what next' keep the pages of 'The Accidental Wife' turning fast.

Rihaan Mehta is a successful neurosurgeon from New York. His mother wants him to get married, much to his exasperation.
As is expected in most such cases, Rihaan finally gives in to the pressure.
Rihaan's reasons for not wanting be tied down by matrimony are convincing, what with a nagging mother, and misguided friends, and certain scheming women. He seems to be surrounded by unhappily married couples.
Life has interesting twists in store for him though.

The successful doctor is still emotionally insecure. He doesn't seem to know himself.
His expectations from his would-be wife are also rather impractical and chauvinistic.
But things are set to change as 'The Accidental Wife' progresses. If you ask me, he should thank his stars for it.
He comes into his own, even as he discovers that it is not a sign of weakness to need someone else.

Naina is an independent woman with a past. A past that is not sordid, but has affected her expectations and attitude towards life. She is not a hopeless romantic, nor is she a cynic like Rihaan.

The story of 'The Accidental Wife' is the story of Rihaan and Naina growing as individuals, and as a couple. They discover about each other in India, in America and in Afganisthan.

Hindi phrases are used pretty often in the narrative. They do add to the emotion being conveyed if one knows the language. The phrases are translated in English though and there is a rather exhaustive glossary at the end of the book, so not knowing the local language doesn't hamper the narrative.
I have to repeat though that knowing the phrases adds to the fun of reading.
'What kind of terrible fix have I got myself in', describes the moment perfectly. But 'Kahaan aake phas gaya yaar', adds a more relatable, personal touch for me.

Certain parts of the story are dealt with rather hurriedly.
Ignore certain cliched moments and a few practicalities which could have avoided the twists in the tale, and reading 'The Accidental Wife' is a fun, engrossing experience.

'The Accidental Wife' by Simi K. Rao is a hopeful love story blooming in difficult circumstances. From the city of New York, to urban and rural India, to the disturbing environs of Kabul, Rihaan and Naina find themselves and each other.

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About the Author

Simi K. Rao was born and grew up in both northern and southern India before relocating to the U.S., where she has lived for several years. She is the author of multicultural contemporary romantic fiction.

The inspiration for her books and other creative projects comes from her own experience with cross-cultural traditions, lifestyles and familial relationships, as well as stories and anecdotes collected from friends, family and acquaintances.

Rao enjoys exploring the dynamics of contemporary American culture blended with Indian customs and heritage to reflect the challenges and opportunities many Indian-American women face in real life.

Much of Rao's down time is devoted to creative pursuits, including writing fiction, poetry and photography. She is an avid traveler and has visited many locations around the world.

A practicing physician, Rao lives in Denver with her family. Her published works include Inconvenient Relations and The Accidental Wife. She is currently at work on her next release.

Connect with the author and read more of her work on her website at www.SimiKRao.com.

Find her on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SimiKRao and Twitter @SimiKRao.

CONTACT INFORMATION

For more information, to schedule an interview, public appearance or book signing; to request a review copy or to obtain promotional materials, please contact Maria Connor at My Author Concierge (mariaconnor@msn.com; 858-431-6777).

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About the Book:

From the author of Inconvenient Relations Simi K Rao!

If you enjoyed Inconvenient Relations, you'll love The Accidental Wife, a new contemporary romance from Simi K. Rao.

Some accidents are meant to happen…

Dr. Rihaan Mehta is a brilliant young neurosurgeon who has no inclination for love or marriage. According to him wives and girlfriends are annoying accessories that one can do without. But when his mother dangles the sword over his head in classic Bollywood style, he succumbs, and sets out in search of a bride who would fit his 'requirements'. But can Rihaan deal with what he gets instead?

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The Accidental Wife is now available on kindle for 99 cents Only! Go get it now as the offer is for a short period only !!

Excerpt:

PROLOGUE

“Another beer to calm the nerves?” A distant cousin who Rihaan had never the pleasure of meeting before, suggested with a knowing smirk.

This was followed by a loud burst of laughter. It was close to midnight, but the party had just begun at the usually serene Mehta abode in South Delhi. “Rihaan doesn’t need anything to cool him down. He’s going to be a full-on man tonight! Can’t afford to disappoint bhabhi, right?” This was promptly followed by another outburst of mirth.

Rihaan submitted to several friendly thumps on his back, returning them with the obligatory wry smile that could be interpreted any which way they desired. He didn’t care about their opinions.

It was true, he hadn’t let a single drop of alcohol pass through his lips. Not because he was anxious to perform well on his wedding night and impress his new wife. On the contrary, he wanted to keep all his faculties intact so he could confirm the suspicion that had been gnawing at his brain ever since the wedding ceremony. And with each moment that passed, his unease had grown steadily.

Unable to bide his time any longer, he stood up and went toward his room paying no heed to the numerous whistles and catcalls that followed in his wake.

Thrusting the door wide open he strode toward the marital bed. It was bare except for his bride’s wedding finery that lay in a neat pile in one corner. His heart now thudding at a frantic pace inside his chest, he scanned the vicinity, fervently hoping his concerns were for nothing.

He approached the wide open balcony door, and his pulse slowed down slightly. Perhaps he’d just been imagining it all?

A girl stood there leaning against the railing, her face upturned toward the full moon. On hearing him approach, she turned around. “Finally! I’ve been waiting like forever!”

He frowned, straining to decipher her features obscured by deep shadow. “Deepika?”

“Naa…, not Deepika.” She stepped forward into the light, a bright smile illuminating her strikingly graceful features.

His heart sank. Not Deepika.

“I am Naina—the girl you married. Goodbye, Rihaan.”

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© Nimi Arora

So much to do... My #Together Story

‘So much to do’ seems to be my mantra. Another one is ‘life ends, work doesn’t’. The typical mantras of one trying to get multiple things done, day in and day out.

It was a weekend, a long one. With holidays coming up, I had great plans. Now that I think back, I realize that all my plans had to do with catching up on what I do all the time anyway.

Plans included catching up on sleep, getting the house in order, doing some laundry, giving final touches to a couple of pending write-ups, and hopefully, getting time for a board game with kids, and dining out with family.

That is my typical plan for any day-off from work.

I wasn’t initially happy when my well-laid plans were hijacked, though. And taken over they were.

I woke up to a cup of tea waiting for me. A luxurious rarity, I have to say.

I should have concluded then that this day would be different. I didn’t.

I look my time relishing my morning tea, enjoying the rare relaxed morning with my family, still mentally preparing my to-do list for the day. It felt good to start the day without a rush. I thought it meant I would get more done.

I am not proud to admit that I wasn’t happy when my well-laid plans were changed.

Apparently, a picnic had been planned by the rest of my family, without my knowledge… say nothing about my consent…

They said (and they are right) that I wouldn’t have agreed.

After all, there’s ‘so much to do’…

A picnic in Delhi winters on a sunny afternoon was scheduled. Complete with sandwiches made at home, soft drinks at room temperature (room temperature in Delhi winters is good enough), a few games of playing cards, a game of cricket, racing, et al… And just relaxing with a book (for a few minutes) – it was more tempting to just lie back and do nothing.

What luxury it is to do nothing!

And to hear loud laughs of kids running and playing around!

A day with family at Ibn-e-batuta park in Saket, New Delhi. Had it not been the famous song written by Gulzar from the movie Ishqiya, I wouldn’t have remembered given a second thought to the name of the park, forget remembering it…

A day, when I realized it is important to let go at times.

Going back to normal is easy after special time spent with family.

I did get a lot done that day. And more than what I got done, was what I carried forward from the day.

I carried forward happiness and peace to take with me for many days to come.

Note to self: Plan a family picnic any chance I get. No matter however much there is to do…

Optimism Calls...

© Nimi Arora